Valentine's Day Without Flowers
From Costa Rica
Saturday is Valentine's day or "Dia de los Enamorados" in Costa
Rica. However, this year for the 165 employees of the American
Flower Corp, it is not a happy occasion.
The company, one of the largest and oldest flower exporters in Costa
Rica, beginning its operations in 1970, is located in Fraijanes,
affected by the January 8 earthquake.
The 6.2 magnitude quake destroyed a good portion of the 25 hectares
of the company's greenhouses, according to the company manager,
Michael Thomas.
Thomas added that the government promise of financial aid to restore
operations have yet to be seen, as the company estimates a
us$600.000 dollar loss.
In the earthquake many of the employees of the company lost their
homes and are still being housed in shelters or living with friends
and relatives. Thomas said that, though they have lost everything,
they are still coming to work.
The company's main exports are chrysanthemums, lilies, carnations
and herbs, primarily to the United States, Panama and Nicaragua.
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